Gardaí arrest 70 year-old man investigating death of Paud O’Leary

A man arrested in connection with an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run is still being detained for questioning this evening. The man who is in his 70s was arrested this morning and taken to Bandon Garda Station. He is being questioned in relation to the incident at Scrahanfadda, Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry, three years ago that claimed the life of father-of-four Paud O’Leary. He can be detained for 24 hours before he is either released or charged. Last April, Shane Fitzgerald of Upper Knockeen, Knockduff, Meelin, Newmarket, Co. Cork was sentenced to six and a half years for dangerous driving causing the death of Mr O’Leary at Scrahanfadda on July 1st 2012. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended, and Mr Fitzgerald was disqualified from driving for 10 years. 42 year-old Paud O’Leary was out cycling on the morning of July 1st, 2012 when he was hit by a vehicle at Scrahanfadda. The trial heard that Shane Fitzgerald was driving his Toyota Landcruiser home from a night out in Killarney when he hit Mr O’Leary and failed to stop. Mr Fitzgerald’s vehicle was never found. Gardaí say they have this morning arrested a 70 year-old man in connection with the investigation into the collision. The man is currently detained at Bandon Garda Station under the provisions of Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act of 1984.